Perplexity AI Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Copyright Infringement of Financial Times and Asahi Shimbun Content

Perplexity AI Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Copyright Infringement of Financial Times and Asahi Shimbun Content

Introduction

The Japanese owners of the Financial Times and Asahi Shimbun have filed a lawsuit against Perplexity AI, a US-based AI search engine, alleging copyright infringement. The companies claim that Perplexity AI has been "free riding" on their article content without compensation.

Factual Background

The Financial Times and Asahi Shimbun have issued a joint statement accusing Perplexity AI of infringing on their copyrights by reproducing their article content without permission. The companies argue that this could undermine the foundation of journalism and threaten democracy.

Procedural Background

The lawsuit seeks an injunction to stop Perplexity AI from reproducing their content and deleting all existing data. The companies are also seeking damages of 2.2bn yen (£11m) each.

Contentions of Parties

Financial Times and Asahi Shimbun: The companies argue that Perplexity AI's use of their content without permission and compensation constitutes copyright infringement.

Perplexity AI: No statement from Perplexity AI is available on record.

Relief Sought

The Financial Times and Asahi Shimbun are seeking:

• An injunction to stop Perplexity AI from reproducing their content
• Deletion of existing data
• Damages of 2.2bn yen (£11m) each

Decision

The parties have been asked to file the requests for preliminary approval settlement by 5 Sept, 2025.